Opportunities for Students
Students in the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program enjoy many avenues to explore ophthalmology and become competitive ophthalmology residency applicants. Students selected for participation are given the opportunity to:
- Connect with enthusiastic ophthalmologist mentors who support students’ academic and career development
- Explore the field of ophthalmology and gain hands-on experience with ophthalmic technology
- Learn how ophthalmologists positively impact community health by preventing vision loss from diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma
- Discover why ophthalmologists enjoy rewarding work and report high career satisfaction
- See how ophthalmologists are passionate about protecting sight and empowering lives
Program Highlights
Each year of the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program aligns with our students’ journey through medical school.
M1 – Focus: Program Foundation
- Matched with a one-on-one ophthalmologist mentor
- Programming
- Introduction to Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program
- What is ophthalmology?
- Medical school roadmap and best practices
- Impact of eye disease on marginalized populations
- Opportunity to advance to MS/OS2 programming based on participation/engagement
M2 – Focus: Step Prep
- Mentorship
- Attend: Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Student Engagement Weekend at the Academy’s annual meeting in San Francisco, November 4-5, 2023
- Workshops, networking, etc.
- Step Prep resources
M3-M4 continued mentorship and focus on support to submit a competitive ophthalmology residency application (e.g., matching prep, residency prep).
Who Should Apply
Underrepresented in medicine (UIM) students include those who are Black, Hispanic, and/or Native American (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian) or two or more races when one or more are from the preceding racial and ethnic categories listed.
We are seeking students who are in their first year in an LCME or COCA accredited U.S. allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medical school.
Student Responsibilities
Students selected to participate in the M1 Minority Ophthalmology programming are responsible for:
- Engaging in the program, e.g., attend webinar sessions
- Communicating with their mentors by phone, video chat, email or in person at least three to four times each year, more frequently when needed
- Keeping theirāÆmentors updated on important issues, concerns, decisions, etc.
- Responding to allāÆprogramāÆsurveys and requests for information in a timely manner
Student Engagement Program
If offered the opportunity to advance to the M2 programming, students are required to attend the Student Engagement Weekend in its entirety — an immersive, multi-day introduction to ophthalmology. For the Class of 2023, Student Engagement Weekend is scheduled for November 4-5, 2023, in San Francisco.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact mentoring@aao.org.